Make your own Pumpkin Spice Latte at home: A Starbucks barista explains how
Making a homemade PSL is actually much easier than you think - and the results are just as good as what you might expect at Starbucks.
We’re already a few weeks into Pumpkin Spice Season, with both Starbucks and Krispy Kreme offering their own fall menus, including the classic Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice Coffee.
The Pumpkin Spice Latte, or PSL, was first launched in 2003 and quickly gained a cult following among coffee drinkers.
And some have even had a go at making the sweet n’ spicy, autumnal drink themselves. Making a homemade PSL is actually much easier than you think, and can be adapted and customized to your own tastes.
You will need a stainless steel milk pan, stove and the following ingredients:
- Whole, full fat fresh dairy milk – semiskimmed or low fat, skimmed milk can also be used but full fat is creamier.
- 100% Pumpkin Purée – available at most grocery chains. Walmart sell Great Value Pumpkin Purée in 15oz cans
- A sweetener such as Maple Syrup, white or brown sugar, honey... etc.
- Vanilla Extract (or a vanilla pod).
- McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 100% Arabic ground coffee
- Whipped Cream or fresh milk for froth
Happy 20th bday, PSL! 🧡 To celebrate the drink that makes us feel as warm and fuzzy as a velour tracksuit, let’s go back to the year it all began: 2003. pic.twitter.com/fZcBuQWdAb
— Starbucks (@Starbucks) October 10, 2023
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte: step by step guide
The most time-consuming step is making the latte mixture, which is done first. Heat one cup (around 240ml) of fresh, full fat milk in a pan, add 1-2 tablespoons of pumpkin purée and 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Add the pumpkin pie spice - you only need a little, about half a teaspoon.
When all the ingredients are added to the pan, gently warm over a low-medium heat and whisk until the milk is hot. Turn the heat off and add the vanilla extract, (or vanilla pod - which will need to be removed). Whisk for 30 seconds, until the liquid is slightly frothy.
Next, make the coffee. You’ll need a small shot of strong espresso coffee - the best way to make this is with a Italian-style coffee machine or espresso maker. If you don’t have one in your kitchen, filter coffee works just as well, although it will be slightly weaker.
Pour the freshly-made coffee into a glass, then add the spiced pumpkin milk and top with whipped cream or, if you have an espresso maker, use the hot air frother to whip up some piping frothy milk to top up the glass. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon and serve!
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